Subject–Verb Agreement Post Session

Directions: Each sentence contains a subject–verb agreement error. Rewrite the full corrected sentence on the answer line. 1. The news about the floods are spreading quickly.

• The news about the floods is spreading quickly.

• The news about the floods were spreading quickly.

• The news about the floods has spreading quickly.

• The news about the floods have spreading quickly.

Answer explanation

The subject 'news' is singular, so it requires the singular verb 'is' instead of 'are'. Therefore, the correct sentence is: 'The news about the floods is spreading quickly.'

Directions: Each sentence contains a subject–verb agreement error. Rewrite the full corrected sentence on the answer line. 2. Neither the coach nor the players was ready for the game.

• Neither the coach nor the players were ready for the game.

• Neither the coach nor the players was ready for the game.

• Neither the coach nor the players is ready for the game.

• Neither the coach nor the players are ready for the game.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Neither the coach nor the players were ready for the game.' In this case, 'players' is plural, so the verb should also be plural ('were') to agree with the subject.

Each of the answers have to be written in full sentences.

• Each of the answers has to be written in full sentences.

• Each of the answers are to be written in full sentences.

• Each of the answers were to be written in full sentences.

• Each of the answers is to be written in full sentences.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Each of the answers has to be written in full sentences.' because 'has' agrees with the singular subject 'Each,' making it grammatically correct.

Directions: Each sentence contains a subject–verb agreement error. Rewrite the full corrected sentence on the answer line. 4. The committee have not yet reached a decision on the matter.

• The committee has not yet reached a decision on the matter.

• The committee have not yet reached a decision on the matter.

• The committee are not yet reached a decision on the matter.

• The committee was not yet reached a decision on the matter.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'The committee has not yet reached a decision on the matter.' because 'committee' is a collective noun that takes a singular verb form, hence 'has' is appropriate.

Directions: Each sentence contains a subject–verb agreement error. Rewrite the full corrected sentence on the answer line. 5. Twenty dollars are too much to pay for a simple lunch.

• Twenty dollars is too much to pay for a simple lunch.

• Twenty dollars are too much to pay for a simple lunch.

• Twenty dollars were too much to pay for a simple lunch.

• Twenty dollars has been too much to pay for a simple lunch.

Answer explanation

The subject 'Twenty dollars' is treated as a singular amount of money, so the correct verb is 'is' instead of 'are'. Therefore, the corrected sentence is: 'Twenty dollars is too much to pay for a simple lunch.'

6. There is several difficult questions in today's exam.

• There are several difficult questions in today's exam.

• There is several difficult question in today's exam.

• There are several difficult question in today's exam.

• There is several difficult questions in today's exam.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'There are several difficult questions in today's exam.' because 'are' agrees with the plural noun 'questions', while 'is' is incorrect for plural subjects.

In the sentence "A pair of shoes _______ missing," which verb is correct?

• are

• is

• were

• have been

Answer explanation

In the sentence, 'A pair of shoes' is treated as a singular subject, so the correct verb is 'is'. The phrase refers to one pair, hence 'is' agrees with the singular noun.

Which sentence is CORRECT?

• Everyone are invited to the party.

• The audience are clapping loudly.

• The band plays well together.

• Neither of the answers are right.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The band plays well together' because it uses the singular verb 'plays' with the singular noun 'band'. The other sentences incorrectly use plural verbs with singular subjects.

"Fifty miles _______ a very long drive." Which verb fits?

• are

• were

• is

• have been

Answer explanation

The correct verb is 'is' because 'fifty miles' is treated as a singular distance. The sentence correctly states that 'fifty miles is a very long drive,' indicating that the distance is considered one unit.

Which sentence uses the or/nor rule CORRECTLY?

• Neither the manager nor the staff was informed.

• Either the boys or the girl are responsible.

• Neither the cat nor the dogs has eaten.

• Neither Ana nor her brothers is coming.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'Neither the manager nor the staff was informed.' because when using 'neither/nor', the verb should agree with the nearest subject, which is singular in this case.